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18002 Freedom Model Kits F-20A Tigershark 1/48


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OK so not a rumour but a fact.

Freedom Model Kits will be releasing for sale the F-20 Tigershark in 1/48.

Some renders for your perusal.....

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I am sure that our friends here (Julien and Jens et al) will have spotted something.

Please feel free to let us know what needs improving before we build the tool.

Thank you.

Martin

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Source: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Freedom-Model-Kits-EU/832469846768673

Expected in June or July 2015

Leaves me cold. Is there nothing else to produce than such a nearly forgotten and rather conservative prototype from the eighties without any aviation historical significance? Number built: 3... Two crashed! Furthermore an aircraft type for which there has been a Monogram kit alternative in the same scale for years - http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/rm/kit_rm_5445.shtml

In my opinion a wrong as weird choice. They're so many classic and contemporary subjects begging for a decent and modern 1/48th kit. I can think of about a dozen of Cold war and modern jet fighters I'd rather have seen FMK spend their resources on than an F-20. Sigh.

V.P.

Edited by Homebee
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FANTASTIC news!

A couple things though... The large antenna on the spine was only present on the first prototype (GG1001) and was removed. The RHAW blisters on the nose were never (to my knowledge) fitted to any of the three test aircraft. and the external wing tanks were the same as the centerline tank. You have the correct aerodynamic fairing fitted at the tail hook location. None of the prototypes had the actual tailhook installed.

Otherwise, it's coming along nicely!

Cheers!

John

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YES, YES, YES!!!

I absolutely adore the F-20, it would have made a superb Air Defence Fighter, much more suitable and economical than the F-16ADF... :shutup: I'll definitely be buying one of these. The Monogram kit is good but a bit long in the tooth, I wonder if anyone will tool a 1/48 X-29 for company...

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I have to agree... It does seem a left-field choice. I really like the F-20, but the Monogram kit gave me a good looking model on the shelf and was a breeze to build (in a 24 hour Blitzbau, finished in Halfords BMW gunmetal grey, as per the original). Still, what you want to tool up and release is up to you! Now, if it was the first of a series of state of the art and accurate Hunters in 1/48...

Bestest,

M.

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Thank you all for the support and comments either way. Never a problem to hear negative comments, just keeps us on our toes.

Mike,

You will be getting one.

There may be a slight delay, we have been inundated with fixes and notes to correct the 3D renders.

GREAT! That's what we were hoping for.

We listen to the market and those who know better so the 3D CAD will be better, just working on it now.

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The F-20 did in fact fly with potential buyers' markings, as a promotion effort by Northrop. I have dias showing at least Pakistani and Philliphines markings somewhere ....

Nils

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Logical, the release was scheduled for June or July this year. Due to the extra amount of information we have been given here and on other sites, we may delay a month.

I'd rather you take your time and get it right Martin! :thumbsup:

Another point of interest (for what it's worth) the nose gear and main gear doors were usually only seen open on the ground for maintenance. When power was applied to the aircraft, the doors closed (if they were opened for said maintenance).

Cheers!

John

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No F-20 expert but it looks good to me. A potentially good aircraft which never really happened (but there were a lot of this type of thing) I know Chuck Yeager was a fan so it can't have been bad.

Would be good to model as one of the prototypes, or a real blank canvas for the whiffers.

Good one.

Julien

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Now there's an interesting WHIF... Suppose the F-20 HAD "won" and become the global Western lightweight fighter of choice? What would the F-20D, with two seats, extra avionics and fuel, and a serious ground attack payload look like? In Greek or Israeli markings?

Bestest,

M.

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Personally I don't share the enthusiasm that many have towards the real F-20. It was an interesting concept that was however based on a number of not necessarily correct assumptions.The resulting product struggled to find a niche because in the end the market had changed and was not what Northop was hoping to be.

Said that, I'm glad that a company is now preparing a new kit. It will fit well along the soon to be released F-16XL

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Here are a couple views of my 1/72nd Hasegawa kit in RCAF colours with Maple Flag exercise 2digit codes at rear end:

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Just something to think about....and inspire future builders of the kit.

I rather like the aeroplane really as it has lots in common withthe F-5 series so it does keep it in the family!

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